Bibbler Tripod Bivy
Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 6:14AM This is not a full blown review, but more a cursory glance at this product. After much debate, I opted to go with the Bibbler Tripod Bivy over the others. Unfortunately for me, at the time, I had to make this decision based on reviews and not on first hand experience. As much as I tried, I simply could not find anyone in my location that had a selection of Bivy's to try.
So, in short, this is an amazing product. I have now slept in it more than my tent on this current trip. I have been in torrential rains, near freezing temps, and stuff right in the middle. It took me a couple of times setting it up to find a 'system' and now it is just a breeze. Sets up and takes down in minutes. In the torrential rain, not a drop came in and due to the little overhang, I was able to keep a portion of it open to help with ventilation. On colder nights I have it completely closed up. You do get a little condensation on the inside, but I think that is too be expected and reasonable. When you are able to leave things open just a little, there is good ventilation and condensation is non-existent.
A couple of things that are pointed out in other reviews that I wanted to address. First, yes, Bibbler does recommend that you seam seal the bivy. They don't say you have to, but they do recommend it and provide the seam sealer to do so. The entire product is tape sealed, so some folks have question why you would need to do this or why you would have to do this on an expensive product like the Tripod. All I can say is that it provides just that little bit of extra protection and only takes a few minutes. If Bibbler was saying you had to do and they did not provide the sealer, then I would have a beef.
Second, I am using the Thermarest Neo Air. I do love this air mattress, but it is thick, and that thickness takes up some prized vertical real estate inside the bivy. Keep this in mind if you use the neo air. A standard 1" pad just feels more comfortable inside the bivy, but I am just adjusting to it.
Lastly, I am about 5'7" and somewhat broad shouldered. I can't imagine being much bigger that me and being comfortable in the bivy. There is definitely additional foot room, but if you are proportionally bigger (broad and tall), this is going to be a snug fit.
I absolutely love the product and will try and write a full review later in the trip. In the meantime based on my current 21 nights of sleeping in it, I highly recommend it!
Glenn |
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